Imagine you had the chance to step back in time to 1986. How would you feel if you were one of the inhabitants of Chernobyl and you had to wear a gas mask because the air was too polluted to breathe? That was the worst nuclear disaster that has ever happened. Thousands of people were affected by cancer, malformations and other diseases. Now, the question is: who is responsible for that and for other types of pollution? In my view, it is everyone's responsibility to protect the environment. However, there those who feel that it is the government's responsibility.
In the first place, from an economic point of view, pollution is not a good business for anyone. The Earth's capacity to continue delivering goods and services is beginning to diminish as a result of soil degradation and water scarcity. As if this was not enough, melting glaciers are causing sea levels to rise. Coastal cities may someday be inundated and entire islands could disappear beneath the waves. Starvation, poverty and developed countries concentrating all the power would be some of the consequences.
In the second place, regarding the health implications, over- exposure to ultraviolet radiation can have severe impact on humans, animals and plants. Sunburn is the most common effect of exposure to UV radiation, but skin cancer, cataracts and other diseases can also result. I think we must be protected from exposure to increased UV radiation. This can only be accomplished through a concerted human effort to eliminate the release of those chemicals that destroy the ozone layer. In my opinion, it is possible to meet all the human needs that have been serviced by ozone depleting substances without using chemicals that harm the ozone layer or the global climate.
In the third place, although you may think that one person acting alone can't do much, I strongly believe that if we all do something, there will be a great impact. And if we don't, some of the pollution problems will get worse.
